Variable resistance means for an electrical appliance

ABSTRACT

A variable resistance and switch means for an electrical appliance including a rheostat and an actuator for said rheostat movable reciprocably in a linear path for varying power output of the appliance and the speed of an operating member through said rheostat and in accordance with the position of the actuator in the linear path of travel.

United States Patent New York, N.Y. a corporation of Delaware VARIABLE RESISTANCE MEANS FOR AN Primary Examiner-J. D. Miller Assistant Examiner-A. D. Pellinen Attorneys-Charles R. Miranda and Burtsell .1. Kearns ABSTRACT: A variable resistance and switch means for an electrical appliance including a rheostat and an actuator for said rheostat movable reciprocably in a linear path for varying power output of the appliance and the speed of an operating member through said rheostat and in accordance with the position of the actuator in the linear path of travel.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE 20 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 323/94, 338/141, 338/198 Int. Cl G05f 3/08 Field of Search 323/94; 338/89,138,141,l42,153,l54,162,165,173, 198, 200, 201

VARIABLE RESISTANCE MEANS FOR AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE This is a division of application Ser. No. 396,21 1 filed Sept. 14, 1964 and now US. Pat. No. 3,437,282.

This invention relates to power and control mechanism for electrical appliances, and especially to such mechanism for portable appliances of relatively small size, weight and capacity adapted for low voltage excitation from a self-contained replenishable direct power source forming part of the appliance.

Such portable appliances, are already. well known in the art, as for example, electronic photographic flash guns and electric dry shave apparatus having a power consuming device and a rechargeable battery for supplying power to such device mounted in one container for portable use. A manual switch is usually provided in the container for selectively connecting the battery into energizing condition with the power consuming device.

It is desirable to provide such portable appliances with means for selectively controlling the energization of a the appliance by its self-contained battery. Certain appliance applications require that the energization be controllable in minute amounts .within a predetermined range; the control approaching a continuous function. Yet in such portable applications (which of necessity must be of minimal size and weight) it is desirable that such a control be actuated easily, while the appliance user is holding the appliance and often by the same hand.

It is, therefore, desirable that the motion needed to actuate the control be a simple linear motion, preferably of short strokes. However, the stroke length should be sufficient to permit the operator of feel the control he is effecting.

It is an object of this invention to'provide a novel power and control mechanism for a portable electrical appliance.

It is further object to provide a novel, compact control of the energization of the appliance, which control isoperable by a simple linear motion through a relatively short stroke.

It is a feature of the invention to provide for such an appliance having at least two rechargeable batteries, a compound switch -rheostat for controlling the energizationof the appliance by the batteries, which switch-rheostat is actuatable in bidirectional linear motion.

Another feature is the provision in the control of an improved electrical circuit component comprised of electrical wire wound into a plurality of loops along and substantially transverse to a predetermined path to provide a certain electrical path length through the loops in a minimal distance along su'ch path, and which circuit component includes means for varying the effective electrical path length through such loops by the actuation of an electrical contact member in a direction substantially transverse to such predetermined path, and into selective conducting engagement with the loops.

It is yet another feature to provide for such a portable appliance, having a driving motor and at least two rechargeable batteries, an improved device for controlling the energization of the driving motor by the batteries, which control device includes an actuating member operable through a relatively short stroke along a linear path to provide controlled energization of the driving motor with the batteries connected in parallel, one to the other, and reconnection of the batteries in series, one to the other, for a second energization of the motor.

Still another feature is to provide, in the aforementioned improved control device, mechanism for automatically transferring motor energization between the parallel to series battery interconnection conditions in accordance with bidirectional movement of the actuating member past a center point in its path of travel.

In the preferred embodiment, the invention will be described as a battery powered, motorized fishing reel appliance (the reel being of the spinning type); it being understood, nevertheless, that the invention is not so limited and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof is applicable to similar portable appliances.

ln carrying out the invention, according to the preferred embodiment for a fishing reel, there is provided in a first housing, termed a "power unit," a driving motor; a compound control unit for controlling energization of the motor and motion transmitting mechanism for translating the motive power of the motor into winding operation of the reel.

The spinning reel is mounted on one end of the power unit housing in coupled driven relation with the motor armature. The compound control unit includes a normally open single pole, double-throw switch, a variable rheostat and a doublepole, double-throw switch. The motor armature is connected by an electric wire harness to the control unit and to two pairs of electrical terminals disposed at the other end of the power unit housing for connection to a source of power for the motor.

The power unit is provided with a mounting bracket for attachment onto a fishing pole in any convenient manner. A manual pushbutton which is normally spring biased to a raised position protrudes from the mounting bracket in position for actuation by the thumb of the user. The pushbutton is actuatable through a predetermined linearstroke length. lts linear motionis transmitted to the control unit through a flexible shaft for controlling the energization of the motor by the batteries.

Initial depression of the button completes an energizing circuit for the motor through the resistive impedance of the rheostat component of the control unit to the two batteries connectedin parallel, one with the other, by the unactuated condition of the double-pole, double-throw switch component of the control unit. Further depression of the pushbutton sequentially decreases the amount of rheostat impedance in the energizing circuit until substantially. the entire rheostat impedance is removed therefrom. At this point, the downward movement of the pushbutton actuates the aforementioned doublepole. doublethrow switch to a second condition, reconnecting the two batteries in series one with the other, in the motor energizing circuit, thereby greatly and suddenly increasing the energization applied to the motor. The foregoing sequence of operation is inverted, when the pushbutton is permitted to return to its initial raised position under the influence of its biasing spring.

In this manner the compound control unit effects variations in what may be termed slow speed energization of the motor and a transfer from slow speed to what may be termedhigh speed energization thereof through a simple linear motion in a relatively short stroke length, while retaining a "feel" of the control being effected. This is partly due to the novel construction of the compound control unit.

The control unit includes a rheostat of the card type in which resistance wire is wound in successive adjacent turns on a substantially flat rectangular card of insulating material. The turn portions extending along one vertical side of the card are stripped of insulation such that they may be electrically engaged by a sliding contact member. To minimize the space required for the unit, the rheostat card is best into an arcuate configuration (preferably into almost a complete circle) and placed inside a hollow cylinder with the uninsulated turn portions facing the interior of the cylinder. An electrical contact member of substantially disc configuration is mounted for movement along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The disc is provided with a plurality of radial contact fingers which are of resilient material and dimensioned for sliding electrical engagement with the uninsulated portions of the rheostat turns, as the contact member is actuated axially in the cylinder (substantially transversely of the arcuate axis of the rheostat coil). A spring normally biases the contact member out of engagement with the rheostat turns.

A mask of insulating material and of predetermined configuration is interposed between the radial fingers of the contact member and the exposed rheostat turn portions; the mask being configurated to permit the contact fingers as they move downward in the cylinder, to engage sequentially additional turns of the rheostat, thereby in the downward direction decreasing the resistive impedance inserted in the motor circuit in a predetermined manner and, when moved in the opposite direction, increasing such impedance to control the speed of rotation of the motor. With this construction the effective electrical path length through the turns of the rheostat coil is varied in response to bidirectional movement of the contact member by the pushbutton in a direction substantially transverse of the rheostat coil axis.

An extension formed of the pushbutton actuates the aforementioned double-pole, double-throw switch of the control unit from a first to a second condition, as the contact member passes .through a predetermined point in the downward direction; the switch being biased to automatically return to its first condition, as the contact member moves past such point in the opposite direction. The batteries are interconnected to the latter switch and the motor armature in such a manner that they are in parallel, one with the other, when the switch is in its first condition, and are connected in series with each other, upon the switch being actuated to its second condition.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic, partially exploded view in side elevation of a motorized spinning reel appliance equipped with rechargeable batteries and embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic view in side elevation of a stand for receiving the battery container of the appliance for recharging the batteries;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and greatly enlarged;-

FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic wiring diagram of the circuitry of the appliance of FIG. 1, including a schematic representation, greatly enlarged, of the electromechanical compound manual control device 90 of FIG. 1 for controlling energization of the appliance motor by its batteries;

FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic fragmentary view in perspective with portions broken away and greatly enlarged of the compound manual control device 90 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic, fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of a modified embodiment of the electrical contact member 88 of the rheostat 104 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic, fragmentary view in perspective of another modified embodiment of the rheostat 104 of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 9, l0, and 11 are simplified schematic, fragmentary front elevational views of other modified embodiments of the rheostat 104 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a motorized spinning reel is illustrated schematically as consisting of two major units, namely a spinning reel, generally designated 10, and a power unit, generally designated 12 for electromechanically driving the spinning reel in a line rewinding operation. Power unit 12 includes a main container 14 and a battery container 16. The latter is readily attachable and detachable from container 14 in any convenient manner, as for example, by fastener 18 extending through container 16 and threaded into container 14. Main container 14 is provided with a mounting bracket 20 for mounting the power unit 12 onto a fishing pole, generally designated 22, in any convenient manner, as for example, by

the use of two spaced, retaining rings 24 threaded on pole 22 and coacting with the tapered ends 26 of mounting bracket 20. Spinning reel may be of any stan ard type, and is shown schematically as including a spool 30 mounted for rotation on a shaft 32 and pickup arm mechanism 34 through which shaft 32 extends centrally. Pickup arm mechanism 34 is rotatable with respect to shaft 32, and, as is usual in spinning reels, includes a pickup arm 38 which may be pivoted from a nonoperative, retracted position (shown in solid line outline FIG. 1) to an extended operative position (shown in broken line outline) by a spring (not shown). Pickup arm 38 is retained in its nonoperative position against the bias of its spring (not shown) by a manually releasable latch, generally designated 40. Spool 30 upon which the fishing line 42 is wrapped is maintained on shaft 32 by a retaining member 44 adjustably threaded onto the end of shaft 32. A spring (not shown) encircles shaft 32 between member 44 and one end of spool 30 and is compressed by the threading of member 44 onto shaft 32 to provide an adjustable resistance of drag against rotation of spool 30 and unwinding of line 42.

In order to rewind line 42 on spool 30, as is usual, pickup arm 38 is released by actuation l of latch 40, its spring (not shown) moving the arm to its extended operating position (in broken line outline). Pickup arm 38 is next rotated with respect to shaft 32, while spool 30 and shaft 32 are reciprocated linearly along the axis of shaft 32. The relative speeds of movement of spool 30 (linearly) and pickup arm 38 (rotative) is predetermined such that pickup arm 38 in rotating functions to lay line 42 loop after loop onto the periphery of spool 30 from one end of the spool to the other to perform what may be termed a level winding" of line 42. That is with properly selected relative speeds the linear motion of spool 30 while the rotating pickup arm 38 lays lie line 42 onto the spool prevents line 42 from becoming bunched up" on one portion of spool 30.

When line 42 is to be unwound or east,", pickup arm 38 is manually pushed into retracted position (solid line outline) into engagement with latch 40 which retains it thereat. v

The aforementioned reciprocating and rotary movements of the spinning reel components during rewinding of line 42 are powered by power unit 12 onto which spinning reel I0 is mounted. The motive force required is provided by a direct current motor, generally designated 50, mounted within casing 14 of power unit 12. Motor 50 includes a rotatable armature (not shown) mounted within a ring type permanent magnet stator (not shown); the outer end of armature shaft 52 being provided with a pinion gear 54. Centrally mounted in one end of casing 14 is a hollow shaft 56, one end of which is frictionally engaged in the inner race of an end bearing 58 mounted in container by A portion 60 of hollow shaft 56 protrudes out of casing 14. Hollow shaft 56 is, thus, free to rotate with respect to casing 14. Mounted on hollow shaft 56 is a driven gear 62 which is constantly meshed with pinion gear 54 of motor 50 to impart rotational movement to hollow shaft 56 from motor 50 at a greatly reduced speed. Also formed on hollow shaft 56 are ratchet teeth 64 adapted for cooperation with a ratchet pawl 66 which is normally biased into engagement with teeth 64 by a spring (not shown). A release lever 68 is attached at one end to pawl 66, extends out of casing 14 and is pivotally mounted for manual actuation clockwise (FIG. 3) to move pawl 66 out of engagement with ratchet teeth 64. When in its normal position, pawl 66 and ratchet teeth 64 prevent rotation of hollow shaft 56 in a direction opposite to that in which it is driven by motor 50, while permitting rotation of shaft 56 by motor 50 during rewinding of line 42. Fishing reel 10 is mounted onto power unit 12 driving assembly by inserting one end of shaft 32 inside of hollow shaft 56 for reciprocation in an axial direction with respect thereto. Shaft 32 is maintained against rotation and is guided, while being reciprocated, by a pin 70 extending from the inner end of the shaft into an elongated, axially extending, guide slot 72 formed in framework 74 of casing 14. The protruding end 60 of hollow shaft 56 has flats (not shown) defined therein and mates with a companion opening formed in the bottom of pickup arm mechanism 34 thereby attaching mechanism 34 to hollow shaft 56 for rotational movement therewith. A retaining nut 76 threaded onto shaft end 60 secures mechanism 34 to the shaft.

The reciprocatory axial movement of inner shaft 32 and, in turn, spool 30 with respect to hollow shaft 56 is imparted to shaft 32 by means of afdouble threaded, cam 80 (FIG. 4). defined in the periphery in inner shaft 32 where it extends through. the hub of driven gear 62 and hollow shaft 56, cooperating with a pawl or cam follower 82 slidably mounted on gear 62. Pawl 82 protrudes radially from the interior of the hub of gear 62, extends through a radial channel formed in hollow shaft 56, and is maintained by a spring 84 biased into the track of double threaded cam 80. When gear 62 is driven by motor 50 during rewinding, cam follower 82 rides in the track of double threaded cam 80, driving inner shaft 32 axially first in one direction and then in the opposite in accordance with rotational driven movement of gear 62. Double threaded cam 80 is configurated so asto restrict the imparted to motion imparted to shaft 32 to linear motion. Thus, the rotational movement of motor 50 is' transmitted into rotation of pickup arm mechanism 34 at a reduced speed, while, simultaneously, shaft 32 and, in turn, spool 30 are caused to reciprocate axially at a speed with respect to that of mechanism 34, for example, one once for every revolutions of pickup arm mechanism 34. In this manner fishing line 42 is wound onto spool 30 in successive loops by pickup arm'38 in a level winding" manner, as was previously described.

Motor 50 is energized by two batteries B1 and'BZ which are of the rechargeable type. These batteries are encased in battery container 16, and are interconnected electrically by wiring (not shown) each to a pair of recessed female"electrical terminals lBTl, iBTZ, and ZBTI, 2812, respectively. When battery container 16 is attached by fastener 18 to container 14 of power unit 12, as was previously described, battery container terminals 1BT1, 1BT2 and 2BT1, 2BT2, are automatically placed into electrical engagement with corresponding male terminals lMTl, 1MT2 and 2MT1, 2MT2, respectively,

protruding from main container 14 to interconnect the battespool 30 by motor 50. Such contr'ol is effected by a speed control device, generally designated 90, mounted in container 14 of the power unit. Speed control device 90 is manually actuable by means of a pushbutton 92 protruding from mounting bracket of the power unit in position to be depressed by the thumb of the user through a relatively short stroke. Pushbutton 92 is biased by a spring (not shown) to the normally raised position shown in FIG. 1, and is mechanically interconnected to an actuating member (not shown) of device 90 through a flexible shaft 94 threaded through bracket 20.

Speed control device 90 comprises a compound electromechanical circuit component for selectively applying the output of batteries B1, B2, appearing at terminals 1MT1, 1MT2 and 2MT1, 2MT2 to the armature of motor 50, as is shown in the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 5, wherein the motor armature is generally designated MR, while its permanent magnet field is generally designated PMF. Manual pushbutton 92 and its biasing spring 96 are shown in their normally raised position; the pushbutton for convenience, being shown as actuating control device 90 directly through its elongated stem 98, rather than remotely by means of flexible shaft 94 (FIG. 1). Elongated stem 98 (FIG. 5) extends through a bearing 100 formed in framework 102 of the control device for movement downward against the biasing force of spring 96. A stop 106 formed on stem 98 limits upward movement of the pushbutton and stem by spring 96, while their downward movement is limited by the amount by which spring 96 may be compressed thereby providing downward and upward strokes of equal predetermined lengths.

An electrically conducting contact member 88, which may be termed shorting bar," is attached to stem 98 for movement therewith but is electrically insulated therefrom. A pair of movable electrical contacts MC1, MC2 are attached to the lower end of stem 98 by means of a crossmember 105 of electrical insulating material. These spaced apart contacts are in the form of elongated strips of equal length which slidably coact with six stationary contacts SCI through SC6 to provide a double-pole, double-throw switch, generally designated 106. With pushbutton 92 in its normally raised position strip contact MCl electrically interconnects stationary contacts SCI and SC2, while strip contact MC2 electrically interconnects stationary contacts 5C4 and SCS. The stroke length of pushbutton 92 and the length of movable contacts MC 1, MC2 are selected such that, as pushbutton 92 is depressed, strip contacts MCI, MC2 in moving downward maintain the aforementioned stationary contact pairs (SCI, SC2 and 5C4, SC 5) electrically interconnected. until just before strip contacts MC 1, MC2 engage stationary contacts 8C3 and SC6, respectively. Switch 106 may, thus, be termed a break before make type switch in that movable contactsMCl and MC2 slide off of their respective stationary contacts SCI, SC4 breaking an initial electrical circuit before engaging their respective stationary contacts 5C3, SC6 to make a second circuit.

The positive terminal of motor rotor MR is electrically connected to one end of the coil of a rheostat 104 which, preferably, is of the card" type, having resistance wire insulatedly wound in successive turns 108 upon a flat, rectangular card 110 of insulating material to form a flat, rectangular rheostat coil. The rheostat wire extending over one flat side of card 110 is stripped of insulation on its exposed surface to present for each turn 108 a portion extending substantially the height of card 110, which turn portion may be electrically contacted.

Rheostat card 104 is positioned with respect to movable contacting member or shorting bar 88 such that, upon pushbutton 92 being actuated downward, bar 88 moves into sliding electrical contacting engagement with the uninsulated portions of rheostat turns 108 during its entire downward stroke and during its upward restoring stroke. However, a mask 112 of electrical insulating material of a predetermined configuration (in the preferred embodiment being a flat sheet of inverted right triangular shape) is interposed the between wiping contacting member 88 and the uninsulated exposed exposed portions of turns 108 of the rheostat. As seen in FIGS. 6 and diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 5 mask 112 is configurated to cover a portion of the exposed turns 108 to selectively prevent electrical contact between member 88 and the covered portions of turns 108 in a predetermined manner in accordance with the position of member 88 during its downward and upward strokes.

The positive and negative terminals of batteries BI and B2 for energizing motor rotor MR are interconnected by wiring, as shown, to the other terminal of motor rotor M R, to stationary contacts SCl through SC6 of the double pole, double throw switch 106 of control device 90, and to contacting member 88 of rheostat 104.

With pushbutton 92 in its undepressed position, as shown, contacting member 88 maintains the energizing circuit from batteries B1, B2 to rotor MR interrupted; batteries B1, B2 being connected in parallel with each other through switch 106. Initial depression of pushbutton 92 moves contacting member 88 downward into sliding engagement with the exposed (unmasked) portion of the turn 108 at the extreme left end of the coil of rheostat 104, completing an energizing circuit for motor rotor MR through the entire coil of the rheostat; the circuit extending from the positive terminals of batteries B1 and B2, (presently connected in parallel by movable contact strip MCI in engagement with stationary contacts SCI, SC2 of switch 106) through all the turns 108 of rheostat 104, and motor MR to the negative terminals of the batteries, which terminals are presently interconnected through stationary contacts SC4, SCS and movable contact MC2 of switch 106. This energizes rotor MR through the full resistive impedance of rheostat 104 for slow speed winding of reel 10 (FIG. 1). This is so, since contact member 88 (FIG. 5) is prevented from electrically contacting the rheostat turns 108 to the right of the first turn 108 by the interposed insulating mask 112.

As contacting member 88 continues moving downward substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rheostat coil, an increasing portion of member 88 slides ofi insulating mask 112 into electrical contact with successive rheostat turns 108, sequentially from the left to the right of the rheostat coil.

Member 88, thus, acts as a shorting bar," since it shunts additional rheostat turns I08 successively in moving downward; effectively short circuiting" increasingportions of rheostat 104 in the motor circuit. This action shortens the effective electrical path length through the turns 108 of rheostat 104 in the motor energizing circuit, reducing the resistive impedance therein, sequentially increasing the excitation applied to motor rotor MR by the batteries with a resulting increase in the winding speed of reel 10 (FIG. 1).

As pushbutton 92 approaches the bottom of its downward stroke, member 88 (FIG. slides completely off mask 112 into electrical contact with all the turns 108 of rheostat I04, completely shunting the resistive impedance of the rheostat from the motor circuit, thereby causing maximum slow speed excitation of motor rotor MR. In moving to such bottom position, pushbutton 92, as was previously explained, moves sliding strip contacts MCI, MC2 of switch 106 off their respective stationary contacts SCI, SC4 and into engagement with their respective stationary contacts 8C3, SC6, thereby disconnecting batteries B1, B2 from in parallel with each other and reconnecting them in series, one to the other. This approximately doubles the magnitude of the voltage applied across motor rotor MR by the batteries, thereby rapidly and substantially increasing the excitation of the motor rotor, and, in turn, the winding speed of the reel to, what .may be termed fast speed" winding. In this manner, as pushbutton 92 is actuated downward, first winding operation of reel 10 is initiated, the winding speed is then increased from a minimum to a maximum in a slow speed range, and next is quickly jumped to a maximum speed.

It may be noted that adjacent turns 108 of rheostat 104 are shown spaced a relatively great distance apart merely as an aid to the explanation of the operation of control device 90. In actual practice it is preferred to wind each turn 108 tightly against its adjacent turns to provide a compact coil.

It may be seen that, as pushbutton 92 is allowed to restore upward under the influence of its biasing spring, switch 106 of control device 90 interrupts the series interconnection of batteries B], B2 and reconnects them in parallel, transferring the motor energization from fast speed back to slow speed.

Continued upward movement of pushbutton 92 causes an increasing portion of shorting bar 88 to slide out of electrical contact with successive turns I08 of the rheostat coil, sequentially from the right to the left of the coil, and onto mask I12. This action sequentially increases the amount of resistive impedance inserted in the motor energizing circuit by the rheostat by effectively increasing the electrical path length through the coil turns 108 of the rheostat, causing the fishing reel to wind at an increasingly slow speed.

As pushbutton 29 restores completely, shorting bar 88 moves completely out of electrical contact wit rheostat turns I08, interrupting the motor energizing circuit to stop winding ofline 42 (FIG. I) by reel 10. I

It may be noted the that pushbutton 92 may be depressed only partially, held in any depressed position, and from any such position be allowed to restore either partially or fully, depending upon the wind winding speed desired by ,the user. This provides easy control of the winding operating of the motorized, battery operated, spinningreel'by means if simple, linear motion through a relatively. short stroke length. Such motion may be effected, for example, simply ,by the flexing of the users thumb on the same hand which grasps the fishing pole. The subject control device 90 permits a simple flexing of the thumb to initiate energization of the motor, control slow speed excitation thereof, and transfer of the battery interconnections from parallel to series, as desired by the user, while retaining what may be termed a feel" of the control being effected.

In the preferred embodiment electromechanical control device 90 is constructed as is illustrated schematically in FIG. 6, wherein the same numeral and/or letter designations are applied to the components as in the circuit of FIG. 5. The control device is encased in a housing 120 comprising a cylinder I22 mounted atop a rectangular boxlike structure I24. The rheostat component I04 of control device is confined in cylinder 122, while the double pole, double throw switch I06 of the device is mounted in box I24. For convenience. the electric circuit interconnections to rheostat I04 and switch 106 have been omitted, it being understood that they may be interconnected in the circuit of FIG. 5 in any convenient manner. Also for simplicity, pushbuttons 92and its stem 98 have been shown as being directly connected to contact member 88 of rheostat 104.

The rheostat coil with triangular mask 112 is bent into a cylindrical shape, open at both ends, with the longitudinal axis of the coil substantially forming a circle. The cylindrically shaped rheostat 104 is mounted adjacent the inner surface of cylinder 122, with the uninsulated portions of turns 108 of rheostat 104 facing the interior of the cylinder. Stem 98 of pushbutton 92 extends through the top end wall 102 of cylinder 122 along the axis of the cylinder. Contacting member 88 is in the form of a circular disc attached to push button stem 98 which protrudes through the center of the disc. Extending radially from the disc 88 are a plurality of bent over, spaced contact fipgers 109 of resilient material in position to slidably engage the exposed uninsulated portions of rheostat turns 108. Spring 96 encircles the depending extension of stem 98 and is maintained in compression between end wall 126 of cylinder I22 and contacting member 88, thereby maintaining fingers 109 of contacting member 88 out of engagement with rheostat turns 108.

Key stem 98 protrudes through end wall I26, terminating in a fork which straddles one end ofa lever I28. The lever is fulcrumed at 130 on frame 124.

Switch 106 inclpdes two movable contact arms SC2 and SC5 which are insulatedly mounted on a supportl32 pivotally attached to the sidewall of housing I24. Movable contact arms SC2, SCS are positioned for coaction with their associated stationary contacts SC 1, SC3 and SC4, SC6, respectively. A biasing spring I34 urges movable contact-arms SC2, SCS into electrical engagement with their respective stationary contacts SCI, 5C4.

Manual depression of pushbutton 92, as was previously described for the circuit of FIG. 5, moves contacting member 88 (FIG. 6) into engagement with the exposed, uninsulated turn 108 at one end of the coil of rheostat I04 to initially energize the spinning reel motor through the full resistive im' pedance of the rheostat, then selectively shunts increasing portions ofrheostat 104 to increase the motor energization and in its final movement completely shunts the rheostat from the motor energizing circuit, while its forked end actuates lever 128 clockwise, causing counterclockwise rotation of movable contact arms SC2, SCS of switch 106 against the bias of spring 134 to reconnect batteries (BI, B2 FIG. 5) from parallel to series through the switch contacts for fast speed energization of the motor.

Upward movement of pushbutton 92 reverses the afore-. mentioned sequence of operation of control device 90, as was previously described in relation to the circuit of FIG. 5.

It may be noted, that, although in the foregoing description of operation batteries BI, and B2 are reconnected from parallel to series or vice versa when pushbutton 92 is in its substantially fully depressed position, this transfer of the battery interconnection may be made to occur at other points in the control stroke of pushbutton 92, if desired. For example, the position of lever 128 (FIG. 6) with respect to the forked end of stem 98 of the pushbutton may be such that switch 106 is actuated to transfer the batteries from parallel to series interconnection, during the downward stroke of pushbutton92, at substantially midpoint of such stroke. Such a construction provides a controllable slow speed energization of the motor, and a transfer to a controllable high speed energization of the motor, since with the batteries transferred to series interconnection a portion of rheostat I04 remains in the motor circuit to control high speed energization.

9 i Assume that batteries B1 and B2 (FIG. 1) require recharging. In such a case, fastener 18 is unscrewed and battery container 16 detached from container 14 of power unit 12 permitting replacement with a spare battery container 16 equipped with fully charged batteries. This enables continued operation of the motorized fishing reel.

Next assume that is it is desired to recharge the batteries in the first container 16. In such a case, battery container 16 is placed onto charging stand 140 (FIG. 2). Charging stand 140 is configurated to receive battery container 16 such tat that battery terminals lBTl, 1BT2 and 2BT1, 2BT2 automatically electrically interconnect to charging terminals CT1, CT2, and 2CT1, 2C12, respectively providing the charging stand. A pressure switch 142 provided on the charging stand is depressed by the weight of battery container 16, completing interconnection of the output of a charging circuit 144 of the charging stand to charging tenninals CTl, CT2-and 2CT1, 2CT2. The input of charging circuit 144 of charging stand 140 may be connected to any standard AC power outlet to provide input power to the charging apparatus for recharging batteries B1 and B2.

It is to be understood that masking member 112 of FIGS. 5 and 6 need not be in the form of aright triangle, but may be other shapes, depending upon the control desired. For example mask 112 may be shaped to provide steplike changes in the resistive impedance effective in the energizing circuit.

It is also to be understood that rheostat 104 need not be wound asa coil but may be wound in successive loops of wire in a predetermined direction such that a certain electrical path length isprovid'ed through such loops to be transversed by electric current. i

It is to be further understood that the subject may be used to provide a variable inductance instead of a rheostat.

It may also be understood that the rheostat coil may be wound with several resistance wires interconnected end to end and each having a different ohmic impedance per unit length to provide a predetermined change in the effective rheostat impedance as contacting member 88 is actuated.

FIGS. 7 through 11 illustrate schematically modified embodiments of rheostat 104 of FIGS 5 and 6. In FIG. 7 a portion of a modified contacting member or shorting bar 88A of the rheostat is shown as comprising a plurality of contacting fingers 150 of varying ,widths and spaced apart various amounts..With rheostat104 (FIG. 5) equipped with modified contacting member 88A, the resistive impedance of the rheostat effective in the circuit upon actuation of pushbutton 92 is in accordance with the predetermined. width and spacing of teeth 150 (FIG. 7) of contacting member 88A. It is to be understood that modified contacting member 88A may be disc shaped with radially extending fingers of varying widths spaced unequally for use with a cylindrical rheostat coil similar to that of FIG. 6.

In the modified rheostat embodiment of FIG. 8, instead of utilizing the insulating mask 112 of FIG. 5 to vary the effective electrical path length through coil turns 108 there is provided a contacting member 888, having flexible contact fingers 154 of resilient material and in position to be flexed into sliding contact with the uninsulated portions of rheostat coil turns 108, as member 888 is actuated downward. A cam 156 is mounted spaced from and parallel to end 110 of the rheostat and is shaped to sequentially cam fingers 154 into a sliding contact with coil turns 108 as the fingers are moved downward between cam 156 and coil turns 108. Conversely, upward movement of member 888 allows resilient fingers 154 to return sequentially to their unflexed or out of contact" position. As shown in FIG. 8, the first finger 154 at the left is shown flexed by cam 156 into sliding engagement with coil turns 108, while fingers 154 to its right have not yet been cammed into contacting position. Further downward movement of contacting member 888 causes cam 156 to flex the second finger 154 into sliding engagement with turns 108 to vary the electrical circuit path through the rheostat.

In FIG. 9 is illustratedianother embodiment which does not use either the insulating mask 112, of FIG. 5 or the camming arrangement of FIG. 8 to vary the effective electrical path length through a coil in accordance with downward and upward movements of a contacting member 88 in a direction transverse to longitudinal axis of the coil. The coil is wound upon a card 110A having a substantially right triangular configuration such that, as contacting member 88 is moved downward, it engages the uninsulated portions of turns 108 of the rheostat 104 sequentially from right to left. For example. as member 88 moves downward, it first contacts the turn 108 furthest to the right of rheostat 104. As member 88 continues downward alongside the card 110A as it was previously described, it contacts additional turns 108 from the right to left of rheostat 104 shunting increasing portions of the coil, thus, sequentially decreasing the effective electrical path length through the coil of rheostat 104.

The process in reversed, increasing such path length through the coil, as member-88 is moved upward to its initial open circuit condition.

FIG. 10 illustrates a card type rheostat 104 of somewhat similar configuration to that of FIG. 9 but having a coil wound on a card 110B what is shaped differently to provide a different control of the rheostat impedance. Card 110B is shaped to provide a certain rate of change in card height in a first portion P1 of the coil, the height is then stepped to a constant height in an intermediate portion P2, and, thereat another rate of change is varied in a third portion P3. With this construction, as the contact member 88 moves downward it sequentially engages turns 108 at a first certain rate throughout portion P1, moves a short distance down the step with no change, then suddenly shorts the store midpo'rtion P2 of the rheostat 104. Member 88 next shorts turns 108 in position P3 at a second rate. In this manner the effective electrical path length through the coilor of rheostat 104 is controlled in accordance with the shape of card 1103 as contact member 88 is moved transversely of the longitudinal axis of the coil.

Lastly, in the membodiment of FIG. 11 a substantially rectangular card type rheostat 104B is curved into helical configuration at a predetermined pitch for mounting within the cylindrical container 122 of FIG. 6 without an insulating mask 112. Contact member 88 in such arrangement is of the disc type and is moved downward causing its resilient fingers 109 to sequentially engage the exposed portions of rheostat turns 108 in accordance with the pitch at which the rheostat is mounted in cylinder 122 to decrease the effective electrical path length through the coil. This configuration does not require either the insulation mask 122 of FIG. 5 or the cam 156 of the embodiment of FIG. 8. With this embodiment, the effective circuit path length through the rheostat coil (for a given wire size and winding density) is much larger than may be obtained with the circular configuration of the rheostat 104 shown in FIG. 6.

It may be noted that the rate of change of the effective electrical circuit path length or impedance of the rheostat may be varied not only by changing the pitch of the helical but also by tipping contacting member 88, i.e. by mounting contact member 88 at an angle with the horizontal, or at a certain angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rheostat coil.

As changes can be made in the above described construction and many apparently different embodiments of this invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description an shown on the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. Power and control mechanism for an electrically powered device comprising, electric operating means, a resistive impedance of the wire wound type having the configuration of a coil formed of a plurality of turns wound along the fective in said energizing circuit in accordance with the position of said contact member along said predetermined path, said power source at least two batteries, said control device including a single-pole, double-throw switch spring biased into a first throw position and wherein under conditions where said switch is in said first throw position, said batteries are electrically interconnected through said single-pole, double-throw switch in parallel, one with the other, for energizing said operating means, through said resistive coil, and further actuation of said control device effectively removes successive predetermined portions of said coil from said energizing circuit increasing energization of said operating means, and wherein actuation of said control 'device actuates said singlepole, double-throw switch to a second throw position connecting said batteries in series, one with the other for increased energization of said operating means.

2. In combination, electrical wire conducting means wound on a card along a longitudinal axis in the form of a flat coil, each turn of said wire forming said coil being insulated from its adjacent turn and having a portion electrically exposed for electrical engagement with a movable contact; a conducting member configurated for simultaneously electrically engaging said exposed portions of each and all of said turns; means for moving said conducting member relative to said coil in a direction substantially transverse to said axis of said coil causing said conducting members to electrically contact and wipe across said exposed turn portions in accordance with said relative motion; and electrical insulating means covering a selected portion of said exposed turn portions and having a configuration predetermined to prevent electrical contact between said conducting member and certain of said exposed turn portions in accordance with predetermined relative positions therebetween in said transverse direction.

3. Mechanism as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said flat coil is formed into a substantially arcuate configuration along its longitudinal axis and said conducting member is of a substantially circular disc shape dimensioned radially to fit within the are defined by said coil and in conductive engagement with the inside perimeter of said arcuate coil.

4. Mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said conducting wire is the resistance type having a predetermined ohmic impedance per unit length such that said combination functions as a variable rheostat.

5. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said flat card type coil is in a substantially circular configuration along its longitudinal axis with said exposed turn portions facing the center and said conducting member of circular disc shape is provided with radially extending contacting fingers of resilient material biased for engaging said exposed turn portions and mounted for actuation tranversely of said card within the circle formed by said coil.

6. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said flat card type coil is disposed in a substantially helical configuration at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal axis of the coil with said exposed turn portions facing the center of the helical, and wherein said conducting member of disc-shape is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said coil and mounted for actuation within the helices formed by said coil in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said coil, and is provided with radially extending contact fingers of resilient material dimensioned for biased engagement with said exposed turn portions under conditions where said conducting member is actuated in said transverse direction.

7. The combination set forth in claimZ. wherein said flat card type coil is disposed in a substantially helical configuration at a predetermined pitch of its longitudinal axis with said uninsulated turn portions of said coil facing said axis of rotation, and wherein saidconducting member is mounted for actuation along the axis of rotation of said helices formed by said coil and is disposed at a predetermined angle to said axis of rotation.

8. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said conducting member is provided with a plurality of contacting fingers spaced with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis of said flat coil and are dimensioned to engage said uninsulated turn portions.

9. The combination, set forth in claim 8, wherein said contacting fingers are of various differing predetermined widths.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein said contacting fingers are spaced predetermined differingdistances with respectlto each other along said longitudinal axis.

11. A manual switch including a substantially flat rectangular wire wound card type rheostat having a predetermined number of turns progressing along the longitudinal axis of said coil, said rheostat being of substantially cylindrical open ended configuration, each of said turns being insulated, one from the other and.having an uninsulated portion extending along the interior of said cylinder for conducting engagement with a sliding electrical contact; an electrical contact member disposed for movement within said cylinder along the longitudinal axis thereof and having electrical contact fingers radially disposed for sliding engagement with said turn portions, and a 'mask of electrical insulating material interposed between said contact fingers and said turn portions, said mask being of predetermined configuration permitting electrical engagement between said contact fingers and said turn portions in a predetermined sequence for selectively varying the effective electrical circuit path through said coil in response to movement of said contact member along the longitudinal-axis of said cylinder.

12. A switch as set forth in claim 11 wherein said contact member is provided with an insulated extension and wherein a single-pole, double-throw switch having an actuating member disposed for engagement by said insulated extension for actuation of said switch from a first certain operating condition to second condition as said contact member arrives at a predetermined point along its path of travel in a first certain direction.

13. A switch as set forth in claim 11 wherein means are provided for biasing said contact member to a position where said contact fingers are out of engagement with said turn portions.

14. A switch as set forth in claim 12 wherein said'single pole, double-throw switch includes a spring biasing said switch into said first condition and against actuation by said extension.

15. In combination, electrical wire wound on a flat card along a longitudinal axis to form a flat coil, each turn of said wire forming said coil being insulated from adjacent turns and having portions uninsulated for electrical engagement with electrical contact means, each of said portions being disposed along one flat face of the card and a conducting member configurated for electrically engaging said uninsulated portions of said turns and being mounted for movement in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said coil alongside said one.face into selectivesliding electrical contact with said turn portion in accordance with the relative positions of said uninsulated turn portions with respect to said conducting member, said conducting member provided with a plurality of depending contacting fingers spaced from each other in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of said coil said fingers being formed of resilient material; and camming means disposed substantially parallel to saidlongitudinal coil axis alongside one flat face of said coil and spaced therefrom sufficiently to allow the passage of said depending contacting finger therebetween; said cam being configurated to flex said depending fingers into sliding electrical contacting engage ment with said uninsulated turn portions of said coil in a predetermined manner as said conducting member is actuated substantially transversely of said longitudinal axis.

16. A mechanism as set forth in claim wherein said cam configuration is such as to flex said fingers sequentially into said electrical contacting engagement.

17. In combination, electrical wire wound on a fiat card along a longitudinal axis to form a flat coil, each turn of said wire forming said coil being insulated from adjacent turns and having a portion uninsulated for electrical engagement with electrical contact means, each of said portions being disposed along one flat face of the card,'and a conducting member con figurated for electrically engaging said uninsulated portions of said turns and being mounted for movement in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said coil alongside said one face into selective sliding electrical contact with said turn portion in accordance with the relative positions of said insulated turn portions with respect to said conducting member, said coil disposed to place the longitudinal axis of said flat coil at a predetermined angle relative to the direction of movement of said conducting member said fiat card coil disposed in a substantially helical configuration at a predetermined pitch of the longitudinal axis of said coil and wherein said conducting member is mounted for actuation along the axis of rotation of the helix formed by said coil and at a predetermined angle to said axis on rotation; said flat coil being mounted to place said uninsulated turn portions facing said axis of rotation.

18. In combination, electrical wire wound on a flat card along a'longitudinal axis to form a flat coil. each turn of said wire forming said coil being insulated from adjacent turns and having a portion uninsulated for electrical engagement with electrical contact means, each of said portions being disposed along one flat face of the card; and a conducting member configurated for electrically engaging said uninsulated portions of said turns and being mounted for movement in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said coil alongside said one face into selective sliding electrical contact with said turn portion in accordance with the relative positions of said uninsulated turn portions with respect to said conducting member, and said conducting member provided with a plurality of contacting fingers spaced with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis of said flat coil and dimensioned for engagement with said turn portions.

19. The combination set forth in claim 18. wherein said contacting fingers are of various differing predetermined widths.

20. The combination as set forth in claim I8. wherein said contacting fingers are spaced predetermined differing distances with respect to each other along said longitudinal coil axis. 

1. Power and control mechanism for an electrically powered device comprising, electric operating means, a resistive impedance of the wire wound type having the configuration of a coil formed of a plurality of turns wound along the longitudinal axis of said coil, each turn of which includes a preselected portion conductively engageable by a sliding electrical contact member, and a control device including a movable electrical contact member actuatable along a predetermined path of travel extending substantially transversely to said longitudinal axis of said coil into sliding electrically conductive engagement with certain ones of said engageable turn portions in accordance with the position of said contact member along said predetermined path of travel Said control device being selectively operable to complete an energizing circuit for said operating means from a power source and to insert said resistive impedance in said energizing circuit and to vary the magnitude of said resistive impedance electrically effective in said energizing circuit in accordance with the position of said contact member along said predetermined path, said power source at least two batteries, said control device including a single-pole, double-throw switch spring biased into a first throw position and wherein under conditions where said switch is in said first throw position, said batteries are electrically interconnected through said single-pole, double-throw switch in parallel, one with the other, for energizing said operating means, through said resistive coil, and further actuation of said control device effectively removes successive predetermined portions of said coil from said energizing circuit increasing energization of said operating means, and wherein actuation of said control device actuates said single-pole, double-throw switch to a second throw position connecting said batteries in series, one with the other for increased energization of said operating means.
 2. In combination, electrical wire conducting means wound on a card along a longitudinal axis in the form of a flat coil, each turn of said wire forming said coil being insulated from its adjacent turn and having a portion electrically exposed for electrical engagement with a movable contact; a conducting member configurated for simultaneously electrically engaging said exposed portions of each and all of said turns; means for moving said conducting member relative to said coil in a direction substantially transverse to said axis of said coil causing said conducting members to electrically contact and wipe across said exposed turn portions in accordance with said relative motion; and electrical insulating means covering a selected portion of said exposed turn portions and having a configuration predetermined to prevent electrical contact between said conducting member and certain of said exposed turn portions in accordance with predetermined relative positions therebetween in said transverse direction.
 3. Mechanism as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said flat coil is formed into a substantially arcuate configuration along its longitudinal axis and said conducting member is of a substantially circular disc shape dimensioned radially to fit within the arc defined by said coil and in conductive engagement with the inside perimeter of said arcuate coil.
 4. Mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said conducting wire is the resistance type having a predetermined ohmic impedance per unit length such that said combination functions as a variable rheostat.
 5. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said flat card type coil is in a substantially circular configuration along its longitudinal axis with said exposed turn portions facing the center and said conducting member of circular disc shape is provided with radially extending contacting fingers of resilient material biased for engaging said exposed turn portions and mounted for actuation tranversely of said card within the circle formed by said coil.
 6. Mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said flat card type coil is disposed in a substantially helical configuration at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal axis of the coil with said exposed turn portions facing the center of the helical, and wherein said conducting member of disc-shape is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said coil and mounted for actuation within the helices formed by said coil in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said coil, and is provided with radially extending contact fingers of resilient material dimensioned for biased engagement with said exposed turn portions under conditions where said conducting member is actuated in said transverse direction.
 7. The coMbination set forth in claim 2, wherein said flat card type coil is disposed in a substantially helical configuration at a predetermined pitch of its longitudinal axis with said uninsulated turn portions of said coil facing said axis of rotation, and wherein said conducting member is mounted for actuation along the axis of rotation of said helices formed by said coil and is disposed at a predetermined angle to said axis of rotation.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said conducting member is provided with a plurality of contacting fingers spaced with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis of said flat coil and are dimensioned to engage said uninsulated turn portions.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 8, wherein said contacting fingers are of various differing predetermined widths.
 10. The combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein said contacting fingers are spaced predetermined differing distances with respect to each other along said longitudinal axis.
 11. A manual switch including a substantially flat rectangular wire wound card type rheostat having a predetermined number of turns progressing along the longitudinal axis of said coil, said rheostat being of substantially cylindrical open ended configuration, each of said turns being insulated, one from the other and having an uninsulated portion extending along the interior of said cylinder for conducting engagement with a sliding electrical contact; an electrical contact member disposed for movement within said cylinder along the longitudinal axis thereof and having electrical contact fingers radially disposed for sliding engagement with said turn portions, and a mask of electrical insulating material interposed between said contact fingers and said turn portions, said mask being of predetermined configuration permitting electrical engagement between said contact fingers and said turn portions in a predetermined sequence for selectively varying the effective electrical circuit path through said coil in response to movement of said contact member along the longitudinal axis of said cylinder.
 12. A switch as set forth in claim 11 wherein said contact member is provided with an insulated extension and wherein a single-pole, double-throw switch having an actuating member disposed for engagement by said insulated extension for actuation of said switch from a first certain operating condition to second condition as said contact member arrives at a predetermined point along its path of travel in a first certain direction.
 13. A switch as set forth in claim 11 wherein means are provided for biasing said contact member to a position where said contact fingers are out of engagement with said turn portions.
 14. A switch as set forth in claim 12 wherein said single-pole, double-throw switch includes a spring biasing said switch into said first condition and against actuation by said extension.
 15. In combination, electrical wire wound on a flat card along a longitudinal axis to form a flat coil, each turn of said wire forming said coil being insulated from adjacent turns and having portions uninsulated for electrical engagement with electrical contact means, each of said portions being disposed along one flat face of the card and a conducting member configurated for electrically engaging said uninsulated portions of said turns and being mounted for movement in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said coil alongside said one face into selective sliding electrical contact with said turn portion in accordance with the relative positions of said uninsulated turn portions with respect to said conducting member, said conducting member provided with a plurality of depending contacting fingers spaced from each other in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of said coil said fingers being formed of resilient material; and camming means disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal coil axis alongside one flat face of said coil and spaceD therefrom sufficiently to allow the passage of said depending contacting finger therebetween; said cam being configurated to flex said depending fingers into sliding electrical contacting engagement with said uninsulated turn portions of said coil in a predetermined manner as said conducting member is actuated substantially transversely of said longitudinal axis.
 16. A mechanism as set forth in claim 20 wherein said cam configuration is such as to flex said fingers sequentially into said electrical contacting engagement.
 17. In combination, electrical wire wound on a flat card along a longitudinal axis to form a flat coil, each turn of said wire forming said coil being insulated from adjacent turns and having a portion uninsulated for electrical engagement with electrical contact means, each of said portions being disposed along one flat face of the card, and a conducting member configurated for electrically engaging said uninsulated portions of said turns and being mounted for movement in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said coil alongside said one face into selective sliding electrical contact with said turn portion in accordance with the relative positions of said insulated turn portions with respect to said conducting member, said coil disposed to place the longitudinal axis of said flat coil at a predetermined angle relative to the direction of movement of said conducting member said flat card coil disposed in a substantially helical configuration at a predetermined pitch of the longitudinal axis of said coil and wherein said conducting member is mounted for actuation along the axis of rotation of the helix formed by said coil and at a predetermined angle to said axis on rotation; said flat coil being mounted to place said uninsulated turn portions facing said axis of rotation.
 18. In combination, electrical wire wound on a flat card along a longitudinal axis to form a flat coil, each turn of said wire forming said coil being insulated from adjacent turns and having a portion uninsulated for electrical engagement with electrical contact means, each of said portions being disposed along one flat face of the card; and a conducting member configurated for electrically engaging said uninsulated portions of said turns and being mounted for movement in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of said coil alongside said one face into selective sliding electrical contact with said turn portion in accordance with the relative positions of said uninsulated turn portions with respect to said conducting member, and said conducting member provided with a plurality of contacting fingers spaced with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis of said flat coil and dimensioned for engagement with said turn portions.
 19. The combination set forth in claim 18, wherein said contacting fingers are of various differing predetermined widths.
 20. The combination as set forth in claim 18, wherein said contacting fingers are spaced predetermined differing distances with respect to each other along said longitudinal coil axis. 